Dental and surgical ejector



Feb. 13, 1934 E. R. FRIED DENTAL AND SURGICAL EJECTOR Filed Jan. 18, 1932 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 .TATES" PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved dental and surgical ejector used for collecting and removing secretions, saliva, blood, water, and other fluid from the field of operation while performing B'dental and surgical operations.

It is a matter of common knowledge in the dental and surgical profession that present-day types of ejectors become clogged and thereby permit undue accumulations of matter within the vicinity of the operation. This is due to the fact that soft fibrous tissues and other matter is drawn into the intake aperture of the ejector by the suction developed in said ejector. This result impedes the utility and elficiency of the action of the ejector as is obvious.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ejector having a variable screened opening susceptible of permitting fluid to be drawn into the ejector by customary suction while at 0 the same time preventing fibrous tissue from passing through the opening.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a simple and economical coiled spring attachment capable of adjustable disposition on -ithe intake end of the ejector in such a manner as to permit the convolutions of said spring to be adjusted to regulate the passage of fluid through the intake hole.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an ejector modified in accordance with the present invention and equipped with the improved regulating coiled spring.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in section and elevation disclosing the co-operation of the coils or convolutions with the intake hole.

In the drawing in Figure 1, the ejector is generally designated by the numeral 3 and comprises a tubular stem portion 4 having a ferrule 5 adapted to fit into the suction hose of a conventional fountain structure. The hooked end 6 constitutes the customary suspension hook and in accordance with the present invention, as seen in Figure this is provided near its inlet end i-with a saliva and fluid intake hole 7. The nu meral 8 designates a closure including a plug 9 fitting into the ejector terminal and compelling the fluid to enter through the hole '7.

The adjustable closure or regulator for said ;hole '7 comprises an elongated coiled spring 10 whose end convolutions ll fit tightly around the adjacent portion of the stem and gooseneck. The convolutions 11 adjacent the closure abut the head 8 thereof as seenin Figure 2 to provide 1 appropriate anchorage at this point.

The inner contracted convolutions 11 are adjustable on the stem and gooseneck soas to permit the intermediate larger convolutions 12 to be moved closer together or further apart as desired to regulate the activity of the inlet hole 7. 9 By adjusting the spring lengthwise to contract the coils 12 they can be brought substantially into intimate contact to practically close the hole 7 or spaced apart a distance shown in Figure 2 to provide for expeditious intake. h

To those skilled in the art, it is evident that the particular ejector illustrated in the drawing is primarily used in dental laboratories and the end portion 5 of the tube 4 is fitted into the suction hole constituting a part of an existing apparatus used by dentists. The gooseneck or hooked end is placed in the mouth and the aperture or hole '7 is arranged within the vicinity of the field of operation, and. the suction produced draws in the saliva and carries it into the foun- 1, tain basin.

It is obvious that the coils 12 of the spring 10 co-operate with the hole 7 in forming an adjustable screen therefor whereby to permit the intake of fiber laden fluid to be controlled. As a 9;. matter of fact, proper adjustment of the convolutions 12 with respect to said hole will enable the dentist to regulate the device so as to prevent clogging from fibrous tissues such as would v otherwise be drawn in through the hole 7 if the regulating screen were not present. Incidently, the term screen" is used to convey any sort of a reticular adjustable closure which, it is believed, is within the scope of the inventive conception. '90- A coiled spring has been found practical for the purpose in that it is a removable unit susceptible of removal and application and more readily cleansed when the ejector is placed in the sterilizer. V

Although I have displayed a particular type of ejector primarily intended for dental laboratory use, it is obvious that the principle of the invention is applicable to any sort of ejector requiring an adjustable intake orifice for secretions, saliva, blood, or water, as the case may be. 'The utility of an ejector is well recognized in the profession and the attachment thereto of means to prevent clogging is an appreciable improvement in this particular line of endeavor.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent. It is to beunderstood that changes may be madein the arrangement of the several parts provided that coiled spring mounted on the exterior of the inlet end of the tube and having the convolutionsiatw the opposite ends thereof contracted to snugly engage said tube for holding said spring in var-ious adjusted positions.

2. A dental and surgical ejector comprising a fluid conveying tube open at its opposite ends and having an intake openingiadjacent one end,

intake of said opening, said means comprising a coiledspririgmountedon the exterior of the inlet endof" the tube; the end convolutions of the spring fitting snugly around the adjacent portions of the tube and the intermediate convolutions being larger than the external diameter of the tube to facilitate expansion and contraction of the spring to regulate the space between those convolutions co-operating with the inlet opening.

3. A dental ejector comprising a tubular body constructed at one end to fit into a suction hose and having the'opposite end formed into a retaining. hook, the terminal of said hook being provided with an inlet orifice, a removable headed plug fitted into the hooked end of the tube, and arcoiled spring. fitting externally on said tube to provide adjustable means for regulating said inlet opening: and preventing the entrance of j, fibrous tissue, the convolutions of said spring at a removable closing plug for'said one end, and adjustable means for regulating the capacit'yviofi' the opposite ends thereof being contracted to snugly ,zengage said tube for holding said spring in various adjusted positions.

EARL 'ROY FRIEDY- 

